You can use o-rings to reduce sound, but linear and non-click switches make no noise if you're not bottoming out.  This is easy to achieve with Cherry MX Brown and especially Clear switches after some getting used to.  With linear switches, not so much.  The fact that you don't have to bottom out on mechanical keyboards is one of their big features.

I use the Cherry Red switch version of our QuickFire Pro mechanical keyboard at work. The majority of the sound you hear is if you bottom out when you hit the key. I sit in a pretty quiet office and people largely don't complain about my typing. YMMV though. It depends on each person tolerance for noise. These red switches are amongst the quieter switch types. It will take you a bit to get used to typing on red switches as they actuate at the halfway point. brown switches are a happy medium between typing and gaming if you don't like reds.

I damn near choked on my lunch when I saw the price tag of the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate!   Although it looks nice, $250 for a KB is way too much for me.  Not to mention its not a mech KB. I don't want to even know how much Razer will charge if the make a DeathStalker Ulimate with mech keys!   

dbe425


I damn near choked on my lunch when I saw the price tag of the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate!   Although it looks nice, $250 for a KB is way too much for me.  Not to mention its not a mech KB. I don't want to even know how much Razer will charge if the make a DeathStalker Ulimate with mech keys!   

Wow thats the price of my EVGA 560 SC 2GB . You got to be an idiot to get a keyboard for that much. You can get a GOOD PSU with that money and a GOOD motherboard.

HAZMAN_THE_GREAT

dbe425


I damn near choked on my lunch when I saw the price tag of the Razer DeathStalker Ultimate!   Although it looks nice, $250 for a KB is way too much for me.  Not to mention its not a mech KB. I don't want to even know how much Razer will charge if the make a DeathStalker Ulimate with mech keys!   

Wow thats the price of my EVGA 560 SC 2GB . You got to be an idiot to get a keyboard for that much. You can get a GOOD PSU with that money and a GOOD motherboard.

While I totally agree with you, the average person having a blast on their XBox 360 is saying the same thing about PC gamers in general! 

HotRodPolk


Star Wars Keyboard, very expensive, but that touchscreen is too cool:
http://www.razerzone.com/swtor/keyboard

but for 249.99  they can keep it

bobmitch


http://usa.ttesports.com/products/product.aspx?s=15


I have been using the Thermaltake Challenger Ultimate for some months now...great keyboard.  Keys can be 256 colors and plenty of T keys for macros, assigning windows functions and more...check it out...nothing to lose to look.  Key brightness can be adjusted and a lot more

the challenger ultimate was one of the keyboards i was looking at LOL

let me tell you a secrete to buying any electronics...dont buy **** based on the type and color of backlight and LED they use because honestly..this is the least importent thing in ANYONES life. 
 
for some keyboards, ive been researching my self. i didn't reead all the posts but i read yours. you seem picky. which is fine, you are who you are of course :) why not have what you want. 
 
most my research has been around machanical keyboards. IE steelseries G6 and so on. 
 
first, the AXIO levetron mech5, a very nice machanical keyboard with MX black keys (very stiff key unlike the MX red) ideal for pure gaming use, the red is a good hybrid key but is prone to missclicks due to its low force requirment to press keys. 
 
so, my list is - 
AXIO Levetronmech5 (my current top runner)
razor black widow (any style their allt he same thing)
steelseries shift
 
 
those are the 3 im considering. 
 
and my choice for you - 
razer lycosa -blue LED's, media buttons, gaming layout, high quality build, good tactile feel to key strokes with low profile keys (one of my fav features on it) its the most ideal keyboard i could pick for ya based on what i read.  
 

EVGA_RobB
 

shogon
 

Going to have to settle with Logitech if you want a LCD screen, and backlit keys in a combo. The mechanical switches are a bit loud, though the feel is far superior to boards like the G15/G19. I used to own a G15 then tried out a Das MX brown board, the LCD screen is nice to have, but in my opinion doesn't compare to mechanical keys.  

 

Not true.  The newly announced Razer Deathstalker has a color touch LCD screen.  While I love Razer, I don't think I could do a "flat key" keyboard like the Deathstalker has.  I much prefer my (loud) mechanical keyboard.  I have 2 monitors, soon to be 3, and don't really need an LCD on my keyboard. 

**UPDATED WITH LINK** http://www.razerzone.com/deathstalker 

 
 
this is funny to me, they finely got around to these eh? i saw a concept keyboard with this tech a few years ago, pretty much same price range, but i dont think it did well because of its price mark. just to much for people to pay, but cool concepts. im curiouse if this thing will splash and flop or if it will accualy get a following. does anyone know if its machanical keys or not? 
 
 

donald trump
 

I still love my Sidewinder X6 from Microsoft  

 
 
:D go sidewinder. i love this keyboard, its breaking my heart that it's time for it to go. XD 

 
 
 that keyboard is looking pretty sexy

 
I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

drunkie





that keyboard is looking pretty sexy

I think i just ...yeah...yes i did  THIS is the keyboard i want! it has everything i want :O holy cow im so glad i didnt leap on that mech5 but if its not machanical im not buying 
 
 
 
 
still watching this, havnt learned if its machanical yet but so far so good. it looks machanical. and it looks really really nice...well have a look :) 
 
 

XrayMan


I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

 
You'll be glad.

boredgunner

XrayMan


I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

You'll be glad.

lol!
 
 

EVGA_RobB


I could be wrong, but I believe the Black Widow Ultimate has back lit keys while the Black Widow does not.  I absolutely love my Black Widow Ultimate, but I have never used any other mechanical keyboards and there are those that say there are better.  I am extremely happy with my purchase though.

 
I was at wal-mart and they had the Black Widow, Not sure if regular or ultimate, But the box had an open slot to feel the keys and I almost bought it right then and there had I not been at wal-mart LOL.
 
I'm using a lychosa mirror, But will end up switching to the black widow because of what I felt... They keys feel much more sturdy and not sure how they are but it felt amazing!

if anybody was wondeirng about that strike 7. its none machanical, but thats about the only downside to this beast, its probobly just as good as any high end keyboard keys wise, the options are nice, touch screen appeared to be nice. 
 
from what i could gather they dont come out till the end of this month. BUT, they do have them "in stock" on their site but when i try to check out, it can't find my zip code. meaning they prolly just didn't make them check out-able. but soon my friends, very soon that keybord shall be mine! :D its perfect for my layout and perfect for how i do things. i like to be able to put the numb pad on the other side, or remove it all together. that control unit is pretty darn nifty, has a TS feature so you can see TS 3.0 which is pretty bad ass,...for those of you with out this setup XD my new video card had a full sized HDMI so i took full advantage of that and hooked up the big screen :P woot.  
 

 
edit: i was mistaken, you can get the strike 7 direct from madcatz. but perhaps that end of the month date is shipping date for carriors. though im sure they wont have to many out their as i dont think they expect allot of sales in this price range. i am loving this keyboard though, im about 2 seconds away from ordering mine, 300$ its a hit but ...i love my gaming :D 
 

XrayMan


 
I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

 
as often as you post around the forum, don't expect it to last very long

_Nite_

XrayMan



I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

as often as you post around the forum, don't expect it to last very long

Haha! Just don't want you to forget I'm here, and keeping an eye on you!       

XrayMan

_Nite_

XrayMan



I hope my G15 lasts forever. This is my favorite, and would hate to have to look for another keyboard. That day will eventually come, unfortunately!    :/

as often as you post around the forum, don't expect it to last very long

Haha! Just don't want you to forget I'm here, and keeping an eye on you!       

 
uh oh

yeah, not really liking the logitech keyboards either :( have never dropped or spilt anything on this keyboard and the keys actually get stiff! ive tried cleaning it out time and time again but i just cannot get it to go away. OP is also right about the space bar feeling squishy.

if anybody is interested i did a little review on the strike 7 that i picked up. tehe coudln't resist :D once i saw it i had to have it. ran into some minor issues, all talked about in the thread ;) 
 
http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.aspx?high=&m=1719516&mpage=1#1719516